PROVEN: Republicans More Well Informed than ‘Reality-Based Community’ Democrats

In a scientific survey of 1,168 adults conducted during September and October of last year, respondents were asked not only multiple-choice questions, but also queries using maps, photographs and symbols. Among other subjects, participants identified international leaders, cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, nations on a world map, the current unemployment and poverty rates and war casualty totals.

In a 2010 Pew survey, Republicans outperformed Democrats on 10 of 12 questions, with one tie and Democrats outperforming Republicans on just 1 of the 12. In the latest survey, however, Republicans outperformed Democrats on every single one of 19 questions.

3 Responses to “PROVEN: Republicans More Well Informed than ‘Reality-Based Community’ Democrats”

So I looked up the actual results (you did that, right?) and discovered that while those who identified as Republicans were indeed slightly ahead of the curve, their scores on most questions (and especially foreign affairs) were only marginally better than their Democrat/Independent counterparts. For example:

– less than 42% could name the current British Prime Minister (R-41, D-39, I -38)

– less than 47% could identify the symbol for Islam (R-43, D-39, I-46) {This goes beyond being pathetic}

– less than 53% knew that Justice Roberts is a conservative (R-52, D-47, I-48)

– less than 58% knew the percentage of Americans killed in Afghanistan (R-57, D-52, I-48)

– less than 60% knew that Republicans currently have a House majority (R-59, D-40, I-36) {Hello?}

– less than 67% could name House Speaker John Boehner (R-66, D-52, I-55)

– less than 68% can identify Israel on a map (R-67, D-51, I-60) {Being unable to identify countries on a map is truly shameful. I hope these people are kept far away from military assignments.}

– less than 72% knew Greece was having debt troubles (R-71, D-54, I-66)

– less than 85% can identify Brazil on on a map of South America (R-84, D-73, I-80)

– less than 88% knew the elephant is the GOP symbol (R-87, D-69, I-75) {How can any American not know this?}

– less than 88% knew that Hillary Clinton was the current Secretary of State (R-87, D-84, I-80)

{On a side note: One can be informed, ill-informed misinformed, well-informed, more informed and better informed; but (IMHO) “more well informed” seems redundant: it’s the equivalent of saying “more pregnant” or “more dead.” And yes, I know that practically everyone uses that expression, but to me it just sounds wrong. /rant}

BTW, I took the current online survey and “aced” every question except Romney’s position on abortion (Pew Research says he’s pro-life, but I think his record while governor proves otherwise).

Related: A number of GOP candidates running in states with healthy (and growing) economies have quietly distanced themselves from the economic “doom & gloom” mantra being promoted by the Romney campaign — undoubtedly because parroting the party line would deprive them of the opportunity to take credit for those economic recoveries. I could spoon-feed you the links (as I’ve done in the past), but continuously denying someone the pleasures of conducting their own independent research seems rather selfish, don’t you think? ;)

Hahah! Nice digging into the source. Props to your hard work – I assume you got a kind of satisfaction from it? This is basically how it is when you or some other commentor would plonk down a few lines or copy-paste of polemics, and I’d spend hours researching and crafting a detailed response. Tiring but satisfying.